연합뉴스
| yna@yna.co.kr 2022-07-05 09:51:11
by Hwakjin Ra / Haemin Kim
[ENG] A Korean traditional dance which uses a fan
Buchaechum, also known as Fan dance, is one of the traditional Korean dances, performed alone or with a group of people holding fans.
In many traditional Korean performing arts including shaman dance, mask dance, tightrope, and pansori, the fan was used as a major tool for singing or dancing. However, in buchaechum, it is not a prop nor an ornament. Instead, it is the subject of the dance and serves to induce all movements of the dance.
The buchaechum, which is centered on the fan as it folds and unfolds, is a work that has been artistically created and developed during the transformation process of Korean dance from the modern and contemporary process to the Western stage.
The buchaechum that is usually seen today with folding fans in both hands is a creative dance belonging to the Korean newly art dance as an art category, choreographed by Kim Baek-bong. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture says that it has been first performed at the stage of Sigonggwan, Seoul from November 11 till November 28, 1954.
According to the Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture of National Folk Museum of Korea, at the time of the premiere, it was performed as a solo dance. The costume was a variation of the Goguryeo-style mongduri (women's robe for common lady), which was draped around the red belt along with Sambulseon (Fan with three Buddhas on it). After its premiere, it was produced as a cultural film and set a screening record of more than 200,000 viewers. It became one of the representative dances of Korea with government agencies and public organizations supporting it on overseas and domestic stages.
The buchaechum was reconstructed and developed as a group dance when the Korean Folk Art troupe prepared for the World Fine Arts Festival and the World Folklore Festival that was held during the 1986 Olympic Games in Mexico. In particular, the flower-shaped figure created as a large-scale concept that can represent the consolidation of power and group dance that responds to the Olympic spirit has become another symbol of the buchaechum.
The encyclopedia of Korean Culture explains that the purpose of this composition isn't simply for the shape of a flower, but instead is about the Korean national flower Mugunghwa, that is in full bloom, expressing the strong prosperity and pride for the nation.
The accompaniment music of the buchaechum is a representative folk song of the Seoul and Gyeonggi region. The song is used in a complex way by changing it into a Gutgeori rhythm and a fast Jajinmori rhythm. One can also freely change the length of the melody and increase its beat to 2 or 3 times to catch it.
Buchaechum is about the truth of all things in the universe, in which everything in the universe is constantly revived, along with the reincarnation of the daily flow. In buchaechum, one can get a glimpse of the nature-friendly theme where natural materials including the sun, air, sky, land, and sea are beautifully depicted throughout the work. Additionally, the expression of the ordinary people's daily life, such as the joy of harvest, and the relaxation that comes after work.
Buchaechum is often used to express the Korean image in K-pop as well.
Singer Sunmi performed a choreography using a large fan to match the Korean guitar riffs in the recently released song, "Heart Burn."
"I think Korean things are the popular things," Sunmi said, at the media showcase for the new song release. "That's why I always try my best to put in the Korean elements in my songs."
◇ National Gugak Center's Special Exhibition - Master Artists & singers' Fans: Wishes on the Wind
The National Gugak Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul is holding a special exhibition, "Master Artists & singers' Fans: Wishes on the Wind" until September 25, which introduces the buchae (fans) of the masters of traditional Korean art.
In this exhibition, one will be able to see about 80 fans of traditional dances including buchaechum, hallyang, and Sanjo fan dance, as well as fans of 58 masters of traditional arts including pansori (Korean genre of musical storytelling performed by a singer and a drummer), mask dance, and gut (rites performed by Korean shamans).
One will also be able to see the 100-year-old fan used by the late Yoo Seon (1881-1952), a master of the Keunmudang, that was provided by the Namhaean Byeolsingut Preservation Committee.
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